Maryland Window Tint Law Overview
In Maryland, the law regarding window tint is relatively straightforward but has specific requirements that all vehicle owners must follow to adhere with the law. In Maryland, the law classifies windows into two categories: those pertaining to the front and rear of the vehicle and those for the rear side and back of the vehicle. The law also makes a distinction between passenger and multi-purpose vehicles, which you can usually identify by the manufacturer’s designation on the vehicle. Passenger vehicles are for conveying passengers, while multi-purpose vehicles are generally used for carrying cargo.
The law prohibits any tint on the front windshield or on any windows in the front of the driver as well as the passenger or auxiliary drivers. There are no restrictions on the front windshield other than that nothing may be applied to it to tint it. On the front window and door, the driver and passenger windows may only have a tint that is 35% or higher in darkness . Maryland criminal law considers anything darker than 35% tint to be illegal. The same rule applies to all other windows on the vehicle.
However, the law allows for some exceptions. You may apply any tint to the rear side windows and the windshield, but tinted windows cannot be more than 35% darker in tint than when the car was manufactured. We should also note that anything other than tint is illegal.
You may not apply any tint whatsoever to the top of the vehicle windshield. Any tint on the windshield has to be clear – remember, no exceptions. No tinty tint.
Passengers beware, however, because if your tint is too dark and you cannot clearly see the driver or the people coming from the back of the vehicle when they look through the rear window and the driver’s side window, this is also illegal. Within those limitations, however, you may tint your passenger side windows, the rear side windows, and the back windows however dark you would like.
Lawful Tint Restriction by Vehicle type
Legal tint limits are specific for passenger cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, and multi-purpose vehicles. There are separate standards for the front and rear windows for each of these classes of vehicle. For most types of passenger vehicles, the front windshield must have a VLT percentage of no lower than 35%. The VLT percentage for the window film on the front driver and passenger side windows must be at least 35% as well.
Rear window tint restrictions vary by type of vehicle. In the case of SUVs, vans, and vans, the tint VLT percentage may be no less than 20%, while rear window tint is treated differently on standard cars and trucks. On cars, the rear window tint must have a VLT of 35% or greater. For trucks, the rear tint may be any darkness as long as the vehicle has side mirrors on both sides that meet the legal requirement.
Based on the above rules for window tint mentioned by the State of Maryland, the following note outlines the legal requirements for window film on passenger cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, and multipurpose vehicles:
The maximum tint percentages required by the standard window film law for passenger cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, and multipurpose vehicles means all glass windows, as long as the windshield and the driver and passenger side windows on the front of the vehicle meet the 35% standards. Therefore, all the other windows can be any level of tint allowed by law.
Exemptions and Special Treatments
Exceptions to the standard tint law exist for medical and other special circumstances. Medical exemptions in Maryland allow individuals with certain medical conditions, such as lupus or porphyria, which become aggravated when direct sunlight reaches their skin, to apply for window tints that are not in accordance with the general law. To qualify, such persons must present medical documentation and verification. While there is a procedure to become licensed through the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, such owner must still equip their car with window tints that meet specificity requirements that cut down on glare because these films allow more light to pass through than the general law allows. These exemptions also can apply to those who have recently had surgery.
There are also exemptions for certain vehicles that are registered out of state. For example, in New Jersey, the tint applied to car windows is at the discretion of the owner. However, such owners must be in compliance with the laws in their state of residence. Thus, out of state cars may be inspected for window tints and issued citations in accordance with the laws in Maryland and the penalties for violations can be stiff. This is because the window tint laws in Maryland are stricter than they are in many other states.
The rules governing window tinting vary from state to state, however, most states will issue tickets and fines when tints do not meet the law standards for that jurisdiction. In Maryland, the fine is $70 for each window tint violation. If the police stop you for a window tint violation, it is helpful to express your willingness to comply with the law. Such officers may issue a repair order which allows you some time to get the tint removed or replaced.
Penalties for Window Tint Law Violations
The law enforcement side of window tint compliance is straightforward. If a police officer believes your window tint is too dark or reflective, they can issue a citation on the spot, sometimes including a fine. Your vehicle will then likely be pulled over for a random inspection, or you may be required to meet up with the officer at a designated location after receiving a citation so the percentage of tint can be officially measured. As long as the tint is in compliance with the law, you will not face any further penalties.
If a law enforcement officer pulls you over after you’ve recently had your windows tinted and they suspect the tint is too dark, you can count on a tough time. Not only will the officer likely issue a citation, you will then be required to have the tint removed on the spot before you drive away or be escorted to a place where the tint can be removed . The officer has the final say, and if routinely found with illegal tint, you can expect to have problems with the law moving forward.
Keeping windows tinted within the legal limits set by the state of Maryland is the vehicle owner’s responsibility. If you are found with illegal tint on your windows, you could cause serious damage to your car’s registration status.
Automakers are required to only use approved glass, often referred to as "OEM glass," when glass is manufactured for vehicles. Any time you tint your windows, you run the risk of using a non-approved tint, which may cause an issue leading to a failed inspection at the time of titling or renewing your vehicle registration.
Measuring your tint and understanding how to measure it
Measuring the percentage of your window tint can be done quickly and easy with a tool known as a tint meter. These tint meters are sold by the manufacturers and by tint shops on the websites and physically at their locations. Remember that there are two types of window tint—the type you can see through (clear tint) and the type you cannot see through (dark tint). The clear tint obviously does not restrict your vision and so it is not a problem for law enforcement to see that your window tint is within the legal limit. In contrast, the window tint that is too dark may draw the attention of law enforcement when they are observing a vehicle on the road. One warning about these tint meters is that they are not always correct. That being said, these meters, if functioning properly, will give you a good estimation of the percentage of tint on your windows. A couple of very affordable tint meters are the Xtool X-500 and the ATEQ VT15.
If you don’t like the idea of purchasing your own tint meter, you can like visit JLR Auto Glass & Tint Center located in Elkridge, MD, or Xtreme Auto Service in Columbia, Maryland for example, and hire them to perform the service for you.
Finding a legal window tinter in Maryland
When it comes to selecting a window tint installer in Maryland, there are a few important factors to consider. Most importantly, you’ll want to work with a reputable company that’s familiar with the state’s laws regarding window tinting. Keep in mind that even if an installer in Maryland offers illegal tints and know how to pass inspection, you will have to fix it if you get pulled over or ticketed for having tints that don’t comply with Maryland law . As such, only work with tint installers who guarantee legal, compliant window tints. It’s also recommended that you verify their installation process, as many illegal tints are sold as legal tints but don’t go through the legal steps necessary to be in compliance with Maryland law.